Did Jadeja Know About His Vice-Captaincy Role for West Indies Tests?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jadeja was surprised by his vice-captaincy appointment.
- He values the trust shown by the management.
- Strong performance in England highlights his capability.
- Leadership role adds responsibility to his game.
- Team dynamics shift in Pant's absence.
Ahmedabad, Oct 2 (NationPress) Ravindra Jadeja, the seasoned Indian all-rounder, shared that he was caught off guard by his appointment as vice-captain for the two-Test series against the West Indies, which kicked off on Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
In a statement prior to the first Test, the 36-year-old revealed that the team management had not informed him beforehand about his new role as deputy to skipper Shubman Gill. He only discovered his vice-captain designation when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad.
“They didn’t mention anything to me. They simply announced the team, and I noticed the VC next to my name, which made me really happy. As a player, such recognition from the management, captain, and coach boosts your confidence. Ultimately, it's gratifying to contribute positively and share my experiences with the team,” Jadeja expressed to bcci.tv.
With the regular vice-captain Rishabh Pant sidelined for the two-match series due to an injury sustained during India’s fifth Test against England at The Oval in July-August, Jadeja was granted the vice-captaincy role.
“This is incredibly special for me as a player. The management, captain, and coach have shown me respect by entrusting me with this responsibility. I am eager to assist whenever the team requires my experience or input on planning,” he further stated.
Jadeja had an impressive tour of England, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with 516 runs at an average of 86, including one century and five fifties, despite batting lower down the order.
The 36-year-old cricketer from Saurashtra boasts a red-ball career tally of 3,886 runs at an average of 37.73, with five centuries and 27 half-centuries, alongside 330 wickets at an average of 25.12, featuring 15 five-wicket hauls. Jadeja also ranked as the fourth-highest run-scorer during the tour of England.